A District of Columbia man has been arrested and charged with defacing private property in connection to vandalizing multiple Tesla cars.
Justin Fisher, 49, was arrested on April 1 and charged this week on four counts for the incidents in March, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia said in a release.
A common theme across the graffiti was anger at Tesla CEO Elon Musk, particularly regarding his political affiliation with the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency.
Mr. Fisher is accused of writing “Ask me about my support of NAZIS” in blue marker on the rear passenger window of one Tesla on March 1 and writing “Lets do away with the administrative state! Buy a Tesla!” on the front windshield of another Tesla on March 2, according to a Superior Court of the District of Columbia affidavit.
The suspect is also alleged to have written “I love Musk and hate the Fed Gov’t” in blue marker on a Tesla’s front passenger window on March 8 and to have scribbled “I Fund Fascism” on another Tesla on March 21.
Mr. Fisher appeared in court Thursday and was released on personal recognizance. He is due back in court on June 10.
U.S. Attorney of the District of Columbia Edward Martin called anti-Tesla acts “domestic terrorism.”
“These attacks are not just an attack on someone’s property. They are meant to intimidate and suppress political speech and shut down the marketplace of ideas,” Mr. Martin added in the USAO-DC release.
Mr. Musk informed investors on a conference call this week that he would be paring back his role with DOGE. He also urged people to think in the long term about what DOGE is accomplishing by disclosing waste and possible fraud throughout the government.
“I encourage people to look beyond the bumps and potholes of the road immediately ahead of us. Lift your gaze to the bright shining citadel on the hill — I don’t know, some Reagan-esque imagery — and that’s where we’re headed,” Mr. Musk said.
